Lister



March 12, 1940. W` H SUA/ER Re. 21,397

LISTER Original Filed Nov. l5, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l March 12, 1940. w. H. SHA/EE Re. 21,397

LISTER Original Filed Nov. l5, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 TIEVE March l2, 1940. w H. SILVER LISTER Original Filed NOV, l5, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 7J- INVENTOR. Afn/L BY /ww, n@

6 A TRNEYS.

Reissued Mar. l2, 1940 UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE LISTER linois Original No. 1,910,185, dated May: 23, 1933, Serial No. 495,873, November 15, 1930.

Application .for reissue January 18, 1940, Serial No. 314,567

35 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements and more particularly to a type of implement embodying an attachment adapted for attachment to or to be carried by a motor driven tractor so that when connected together the two parts function as a single power operated implement. More specifically, the present invention is principally concerned with the provision of a power driven lister adapted particularly for use in preparing and planting listed crops.

The chief object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction in certain details of the implement, such as, for example, an improved supporting and adjusting means for the lister beams, an improved means for limiting their lateral movement, and an improved supporting structure for the seeding mechanism of the lister.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred structural embodiment which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a lister constructed in accordanceV with the present invention and in which certain parts are cut away to better show the structural details;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a lister like that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the lines 3-3 of Figures l and 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing partly in section and partly in elevation the means for throwing the feeding mechanism out of operation when the lister beams are raised; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the connection between the lister beams and the usual draw bar of a tractor for limiting the lateral displacement of the beams.

In the illustrated embodiment the implement comprises the lister mechanism per se, including furrow openers and seed selecting mechanism, and a wheeled supporting structure in the form of a motor driven tractor.

The tractor is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I and, as viewed in Figure l, is seen to comprise a motor 2, front wheels 3, and rear driving wheels 4, and housing castings 5 serving as the frame of the tractor. The rear driving wheels 4 are driven from the motor 2 through the usual transmission system including the countershaft I and suitable driving gears or chains enclosed in the drive chain housings Il. A draw bar 9 of the usual `type is pivoted to the housing 8, as by pivot means III, for vertical swinging movement.

The lister per se comprises two forwardly converging tool beams II and I2 suitably braced andl`lconnected together by means of braces I3 at the wheel 22 associated with each of the furrow openers or bottoms I8 and I9, and each gauge wheel 22 is journaled on the outwardly turned end of a crank axle 23 which, in turn, is journaled in a bracket 24 depending from the outer side of each of the beams II and I2, as best shown in Figure 1. Each of the crank axles 23 is also journaled in a cooperating bracket 25, spaced inwardly with respect to the brackets 24, and rigidly secured to the brace member I1.

As best shown in Figure 1, the crank axles 23 extend forwardly of their pivotal or journal suplport on the beams II and I2, and as best shown in Figure 2, these crank axles also extend outwardly beyond the rear drive wheels 4, thus bringing the gauge wheels 22 to a position adjacent the drive wheels 4.

The innermost end of each of the crank axles is provided with an arm 26, preferably formed integral therewith, and each of the arms 26 is connected by means of a horizontal link 21 to a manually operated depth adjusting lever 28 pivotally mounted on the upwardly extending portion of the bracket 25, as best shown in Figure 1. The brace member IIi is provided with turned ends extending along the plow means II and I2 and the rear portions of these turned ends are formed to receive upwardly extending links 29. A notched sector 30 is associated with each of the adjusting levers 28, and each sector 30 is connected to the link 29 and to the bracket 25, as by means of a short link 3I, best shown in Figure 1. Each of the depth adjusting levers include the usual detent mechanism 33 cooperating with the notches on the sectors 30 for adjustably holding the lever in position. It is clear that releasing the detent mechanism 33 on either of the depth'adjusting levers 28 and rocking the latter will raise or lower the rear ends of the tool beams and I2 relative to the corresponding gauge wheel 22 in contact with the ground. In this way the operating depth of the breaker bottoms I8 and I9 can be individually adjusted.

The forward ends of the tool beams and |2 are connected, substantially on the longitudinal center line of the implement, with the forward end of the tractor I by means of a framework structure now to be described. Depending brackets 31 are secured, as by bolts 38, to either side of the tractor, and at their lower ends these depending brackets 31 are apertured and carry bearing flanges 46 and 4| bolted or otherwise secured thereto. A rock shaft 44 is journaled in the bearing flanges 46 and 4|, and the intermediate portion of the rock shaft 44 is curved to correspond with the formation of the front casting of the tractor as best shown in Figure 3. The rock shaft 44 supports a U-shaped supporting member 46, the latter depending from the rock shaft 44 and preferably freely journaled thereon. The U-shaped member 46 constitutes a framework for receiving the front ends of the tool beams and |2. For this purpose the framework 46 comprises a pair of supporting bars 49 and 56, the upper ends of which are journaled on the rock shaft 44 and the lower ends of which are apertured to receive a supporting pin 5| to which the forwardmost ends of the beams I I and I2 are pivoted. The pin 5| may be provided with a head 52 at one end and a pin 53 at the other end for holding the beams I I and I2 and the supporting bars 49 and 56 in their proper operative relation. The supporting bars 49 and 56 are suitably connected by means of a U-shaped frame member 54.

For the purpose of applying draft effort to the tool beams Il and I2, the lower end of the depending framework 46 and the forward ends of the beams and I2 are connected to a bracket 51 which is bolted to the front face of the front wheel axle of the tractor. This connection is established by means of a short angle member 59 bolted to the bracket 51 and having a rearwardly extending flange 66 which, in turn, is provided with apertures receiving a pair of tension links 62. The rear ends of the tension links 62 receive the forward ends of springs 64 which are connected at their rear ends to eye members 66 embracing the pin 5|, as best shown in Figure 3. A spacing sleeve 61 is carried by the pin 5| for the purpose of holding the eye members 66 in proper position thereon. Spacing sleeves 16 are also carried by the rock shaft 44 for the purpose of positioningY the framework 46 thereon and to maintain the same substantially central of the tractor. Since the members 49 and 56 of the framework 46 are journaled on the rock shaft 44, the beams II and I2 are free to swing longitudinally with respect to the tractor and to stretch the tension springs 64 under excessive loads.

Turning to Figure 2, the tractor I includes a platform having a rear angle brace or transverse member 15 extending along the rear edge of the platform and connected respectively to the shields over the drive wheels 4. A supporting framework comprising the fore and aft or longitudinally extending frame bars 16 and 11 and a rear connecting transverse angle bar 19 is secured to the tractor platform. The seeding mechanism 86 is carried by the transverse angle bar 19, and this seed selecting mechanism includes the usual seed boxes 8|, the driving shaft 92, the gear set B3, and the usual seed plates for selecting and depositing the seeds for planting. The seed tubes extend downwardly in rear of the furrow openers I8 and I9 for the purpose of directing the seed into the furrow, and the furrow openers or bottoms I8 and I9 are provided with the usual covering disks 61 for directing soil onto the planted seeds. The driving shaft 82 and the gear shaft 83 is preferably driven from the power of a tractor by means of a longitudinally extending power shaft 96 connected by suitable connections to the power takeoff 9| of the tractor.

The gear set 63 per se forms no part of the present invention and it is therefore not described in detail. It suffices to note that the gear set 63 includes appropriate gearing for driving the seedfrom the power shaft 96 to the gearing connected with the drive shaft 62. This clutch mechanism is adapted to be thrown into and out of operation by means of an operating arm or crank 93 suitably biased to drive transmitting position by means of a tension spring 94. Means for moving the operating arm 93 for interrupting the drive will be described later. 'I'he gear set 83 is preferably of the type shown and described in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,968,187, issued July 3l, 1934, to Charles H. White to which reference may be had for the details of the 'gear set 83. The operator may be protected from accidental contact with the power shaft 96 by means of a shield 96 curved about the shaft 96 and suitably supported at its forward end to the tractor by means of a bracket 91 and to the housing of the gear set 83 by means of a supporting bar 98.

It is preferable in this type of implement that suitable connections be made for raising and lowering the operating tools from the power of the tractor. The structure described so far is particularly applicable for use with raising and lowering means for the breaker bottoms or furrow openers I6 and I9. For this purpose, the usual power lift |66 of the tractor has its crank arm |6| connected by means of a link. |63 to a swinging crank or arm |64 secured to one end of the rock shaft 44. In order to bring the arm |64 and the link |63 into line with the power lift crank arm |6| this end of the rock shaft 44 is extended the proper distance and the bearing flange 46 is provided with a sleeve extension 46a. The arm |64 may be securely held onto the rock shaft 44 by means of a lock nut |66, or by any other suitable means. 'I'he middle or crank portion 44a of the rock shaft 44 is provided with a depending arm ||6 (see Figure 3) welded or otherwise secured thereto. A rearwardly extending link is pin connected to the lower end of the depending arm II6, and the rear end of the link is pivotally connected with a tension member ||3, best shown in Figures 1 and 2. The rear end of the tension member ||3 is connected to the bight of a chain I I4, the two ends of which are wrapped partially around and are rigidly connected to sheaves I|5 fixed to the mid-portion of a transverse lifting shaft ||1 journaled to bearings provided in the vertical flanges to a U-shaped bracket ||9 bolted to the rear of the tractor platform in the center thereof. The lifting shaft ||1 is also journaled in bearings |2| provided in the upstanding brackets |22 xed at their lower ends to the vertical flanges of the longitudinal frame members 16 and 11.

'I'he lifting shaft ||1 is provided at its outer ends with sheaves |25 to each of which a lifting chain |26 is connected. The lower ends of the isi, ing shaft 62 at various speeds, and suitable clutchr mechanism is provided for interrupting the drivev lifting chains |28 are connected to the turned and-rearwardly extending ends of the brace member I8.

By the construction described above whenever the powerlift of the tractor is tripped, the power lift crank arm IUI is swung longitudinally of the tractor and occasions a similar swinging of the arm |84, thereby rocking the rock shaft 44. When the power lift crank arm IUI is swung forwardly the rock shaft 44 swings the depending arm III) forwardly and exerts a pull through the tension link ||3 on the chain |I4. I'he latter therefore unwinds from the sheaves I I5 thereby turning the lifting shaft II'I. 'I'his movement of the lifting shaft I I'I causes the lifting chains |25 to wind up on the associated sheaves |25 which, in turn, raises the rear ends of the beams II and I2 and elevates the bottoms I8 and I9, bringing the same from their operating position to their inoperative or transport position. The seed tubes 85 include a telescoping section 85a carried by the furrow openers I8 and I9 and which telescopes with respect to the upper sections when the furrow openers I8 and I8 are raised.

It is desirable to interrupt the drive to the seed selecting mechanism simultaneously with the lifting of the tools or bottoms I8 and I8, and to provide for this arrangement I pivotally connect a link |38 to the operating arm 93 of the gear shaft 83 and connect the link at its forward end to a pivoted cam follower I3I mounted on one of the vertical flanges of the U-shaped bracket II9. This'cam follower is in operative relation with a cam |32 xed onto the lifting shaft II'I, the cam |32 is provided with a raised portion |33 which is so arranged on the lifting shaft I I1 that the initial movement of the shaft in raising the lister beams occasions a swinging of the cam follower member |3| which, in turn, Swings the operating arm 93 forwardly to interrupt the gear connections in the gear set 83, thus interrupting the drive from the power shaft 90 to the seeding shaft 82. When the beams II and I2 are lowered, the spring 94 returns the arm 93 to operative position and also holds the cam follower |3| in operative relative with respect to the cam |32 on the lifting shaft II'I.

In implements including tool beams connected to the forward portion of a supporting Wheeled k frame or tractor, it is frequently desirable to provide means for limiting the lateral movement of the beams with respect to the wheeled frame or tractor. As embodied in the present structure, this important feature ofthe present invention includes mechanism for floatingly connecting the beams themselves to the usual draw bar of the tractor and is so arranged that the lateral movement of the beams II and I2 is thereby limited. Referring for the moment to Figure 2, it will be observed that the brace members |4 and I5 are connected at their upper ends to the beams II and I2 respectively. The brace members I4 and I5 converge inwardly and rearwardly and at their rear ends they are provided with parallel closely spaced portions I4a and |5a respectively. The extreme ends of these members are riveted or otherwise secured to the central portion of the `brace member I6.

Referring more particularly to Figure 5, `the connection between the draw bar 9 of the tractor and the beams I| and I2 whereby the floating draw bar of the tractor iS operable to limit the lateral movement of the lister with respect to the tractor is seen to comprise a bracket |48 having a base portion bolted, as by bolts |4I, to the draw bar 9, a central or intermediate portion extending vertically upward between the parallel portions of the two brace members I4 and I5, and an integral plate member |45 extending over the upper edges of the brace members I4a and |5a. The draw bar is free to oat and pivot about the front pivotal connections llwith the drive housings 8. Thus the lister beams II and I2 are capable of Vertical movement but are restrained from lateral movement by virtue of their connection with the draw bar 9.

It will be noted that the spaced apart brace portions |4a and |5a form a part of the beam structure II, I2 that presents what may be defined as a slotted opening the longitudinal axis of which is disposed substantially coincidental with the longitudinal center line of the implement, and in which the part |43 of the bracket |40 moves substantially along said longitudinal center line. Connecting the bracket )and the beam structure in the longitudinal center line of the implement accommodates lateral tilting of the lister about its longitudinal center line relative to the tractor. Moreover, the slotted opening aforesaid is open atv one end so that the bracket |48 isl-,readily disconnectible from the beam structure II, I2 merely by sliding one part away from the other, thereby facilitating disconnecting the implement from the tractor. For example, when the forward draft connections are detached, driving the tractor away from the implement disengages the bracket |40 from the cooperating brace sections I4a and I4b.

As shown in Figure 2, a pair of rub plates |41 are bolted to the inner sides of the drive housings 8 of a tractor, preferably by means of countersunk bolts |48 in order that the rub plates may prevent a flat surface against which the sides of the draw bar 9 may rub. This particular structure reinforces the draw bar 9 and enables the same to effectively resist all side thrusts which may be imposed thereon by the lister.

While I have shown and described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings the preferred structural embodiment of the present in vention, it is to ybe understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific structure shown and described but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an implement of the class described, in combination, a tractor having' a power lift, a

rock shaft journaled on the tractor spaced forwardly of the rear thereof, operating connections between said rock shaft and the power lift, a pair of tool beams pivotally connected with said rock shaft, and raising and lowering means for said beams actuated by movement of said rock shaft.

2. In an implement of the class described, in combination, a tractor having a power lift, a pair of journal brackets secured to either side of the tractor near the forward end thereof, a rock shaft rotatably supported in said brackets, av

of journal brackets secured to either side of the tractor near the forward end thereof, a rock shaft rotatably supported in said brackets, an arm secured to said shaft and connected with the power lift of the tractor, a lifting shaft journaled on the tractor near the rear thereof, a second arm on said rock shaft and connected with the lifting shaft, tool beams extending flore and aft with respect to the tractor and pivotally supported by said rock shaft, connections between the tool beams and the lifting shaft whereby the beams can be raised and lowered by the power of the tractor, and yielding means for retaining said tools in position relative to said rock shaft.

4. An agricultural implement comprising, in combination. a wheeled frame, a rock shaft journaled in said frame, tool beams extending longitudinally of the frame, supporting means for one end of said beams pivoted coaxially with respect to said rock shaft, and means operable by said rock shaft for raising and lowering said beams.

5. An agricultural implementl comprising, in combination, a wheeled frame, a rock shaft journaled in said frame, tool beams extending longitudinally of the frame, supporting means for one end of said beams pivoted coaxially with respect to said rock shaft, said beams being pivoted to said supporting means, and spring means biasing said supporting means and beams to a forward position relative to the tractor, and means operable by said rock shaft for raising and lowering said beams.

6. An agricultural implement comprising, in combination, a wheeled frame, a rock shaft journaled in said frame, near the forward end thereof, tool beams extending longitudinally of the frame, a U-shaped supporting member for the beams and having its ends journaled on said rock shaft and its intermediate portion connected with the forward ends of the beams, and means including said rock shaft for raising and lowering the tool beams.

'7. An agricultural implement comprising, in combination, a wheeled frame, a rock shaft journaled in said frame, tool beams extending longitudinally of the frame, supporting means for the beams carried by said rock shaft, and means operable by said rock shaft for raising and lowering said beams.

8. Ari` agricultural implement comprising, in combination, a wheeled frame, a rock shaft journaled in said frame, operating mechanism carried by the frame, tool beams extending longitudinally of the frame, supporting means for the beams carried by said rock shaft, and means operable by said rock shaft for throwing said mechanism into and out of operation,

9. An agricultural implement comprising, in combination, a Wheeled frame, depending brackets on either side of the frame, bearing flanges secured to said brackets, a rock shaft journaled in said flanges, one end extending beyond the corresponding flange and provided with an operating crank arm thereon, tool beams extending longitudinally of the frame, a supporting framework for one 'end of the beams and pivotally carried by said rock shaft, spacing sleeves on the rock shaft for positioning said framework, a depending arm secured to said rock shaft, and connections between said last named arm and the other end of the beams for raising and lowering the latter by swinging said operating crank arm.

l0. An agricultural implement comprising, in combination, a wheeled frame, depending brackets on either side of the frame, bearing flanges secured to said brackets. a rock shaft journaled in said anges, one end extending beyond the corresponding flange and provided with an.

operating crank arm thereon, tool beams extend- 'Y ing longitudinally of the frame, a supporting framework for one end of the beams and plvotally carried by said rock shaft, said framework comprising a U-shaped member comprising side bars and an intermediate brace, the upper ends of said bars being journaled on said rock shaft, a pin carried at the lower ends of the side bars for receiving the beams, spacing sleeves on the rock the corresponding flange and provided with -an' operating crank arm thereon, tool beams extending longitudinally of the frame, a supporting framework for one end of the beams and pivotally carried by said rock shaft, said framework comprising a U-shapedmember comprising side bars and an intermediate brace, the upper ends of said bars being journaled on said rock shaft, a pin carried at the lower ends of the side bars for receiving the beams, spacing sleeves on the rock shaft between the upper ends of said bars and said depending brackets for determining the position of said framework, a bracket near the forward end of the frame, yieldable draft means connected with said bracket and with said member, a depending arm secured to said rock shaft,l

and connections between said last named arm and the other end of the beams for lraising and lowering the latter by swinging said operating crank arm.

12. In an implement of the class described, in combination, a tractor having a drawbar adjacent the rear thereof, a laterally swingable beam connected with the tractor near one end of the latter, and means connecting the beam to said drawbar to limit the lateral movement of the beam.

13. In an implement of the class described, in combination, a tractor having a vertically swinging drawbar, a lister connected with the tractor and including a pair of fore and aft extending beams swlngable laterally and having earth woxki ing tools carried thereby, and connecting means between the drawbar and the beams for allow,-

ing vertical movement of the lister and for limiting the lateral movement thereof.

14. In an implement of the class described, in-

combination, a tractor having a vertically swinging drawbar pivotally connected with the tractor to swing about a transverse axis, a lister connected with the tractor and including a pair of fore and aft extending beams swingable laterally and having earth working tools carried thereby, bracing means for the :beams including a transverse brace member connecting said beams and a pair of braces connected to the beams and to said brace member, said braces having closely spaced portions extending in parallel relationship, and a bracket attachable to thedrawbar and including an .upper plate overlying said spaced brace portions and a connecting web passing therebetween, said bracket and drawbar establishwheeled frame, depending` ying a floating connection for the lister for permitting vertical movement but limiting lateral movement of the lister.

15. In an implement of the class described, in combination, a tractor having a vertically swinging drawbar. a lister connected with the tractor and including fore and aft extending tool beams, connecting means between the drawbar and said beams for limiting the relative lateral movement of said beams with respect to the drawbar, and rub plates on the tractor and operable to restrain the lateral movement of the drawbar relative to the tractor.

16. An agricultural implement of the class described comprising, in combination, a tractor having a power take-off and a power lift, furrow opening means connected with the tractor, operating mechanism associated with said furrow opening means, a supporting framework for said mechanism including a pair of longitudinal members carried by the tractor and a transverse bar carried by said members, said mechanism being supported by the transverse bar, means including a shaft journaled on said longitudinal members for raising and lowering said furrow openers from said power lift, and driving means for said mechanism carried by the bar and actuated from the power take-off of the tractor.

17. An agricultural implement of the class described comprising, in combination, a tractor having' a power lift, furrow opening means connected with the tractor, operating mechanism associated with said furrow opening means, a supporting framework for said mechanism including a pair of longitudinal members carried by the tractor and a transverse bar carried by said members, said mechanism being supported by the transverse bar. means for driving said mechanism, means including a shaft journaled on said longitudinal members for raising and lowering said furrow openers from said power lift, and connections actuated by rotation of said shaft for interrupting the driving means for said mechanism.

18. An agricultural implement of the class described comprising, in combination, a tractor having a power take-off and a power lift, furrow opening means connected with the tractor, operating mechanism associated with said furrow opening means, a supporting framework for said mechanism including a pair of longitudinal members carried by the tractor and a transverse bar carried by said members, said mechanism being supported by the transverse bar, means for driving said mechanism including a gear set, means including a shaft journaled on said longitudinal members for raising and lowering said furrow openers from said power lift, connections actuated by rotation of said shaft for interrupting the driving means for said mechanism, said connections including an operating arm on the gear set and cam mechanism on said shaft,v and driving means for said mechanism carried by the bar and actuated from the power take-off of the tractor.

19. In an implement of the class described. in combination, a tractor, two forwardly converging beams` means pivoting the beams to the tractor, ground working tools carried by the beams, gauge wheels adjustably connected with the beams and adapted to gauge the operating depth of said tools, brace means connecting said beams at the rear. adjusting means for said gauge wheels pivotally connected with the brace means, operating mechanism for said implement, a supporting frame for said mechanism comprising a pluralityof fore and aft extending members secured to the tractor and a transverse member connecting the first named members, driving means for said operating mechanism comprising a driving shaft and an associated gear set for controlling the operation of said shaft, a rock shaft journaled on said fore and aft extending members, connections between the shaft and said beams whereby rocking of the shaft raises and lowers the beams, connections operated by the power of the tractor for rocking said rock shaft, and means actuated by the raising and lowering of the beams for throwing said gear set out of and into operation.

20. In an implement of the class described, in combination, a tractor, two forwardly converging beams, means pivoting the beams to the tractor, ground working tools carried by the beams, gauge wheels adjustably connected with the beams and adapted to gauge the operating depth of said tools, brace means connecting said beams at the rear, adjusting means for said gauge wheels pivotally connected with the brace means, crank axles for said gauge wheels, journal brackets on each of said beams and said brace means for mounting each of the crank axles, and means connecting the crank axles with said adjusting means.

2l. In an implement of the class described, in combination, a tractor having a power take-off and a power lift, a rock shaft journaled on the tractor spaced forwardly of the rear thereof, operating connections between said rock shaft and the power lift, two forwardly converging tool beams having earth working tools and gauge wheels at their rear ends, means journaled on said rock shaft for supporting the forward ends of said tool beams, brace means connecting said beams at the rear, adjusting means for said gauge wheels pivotally connected with the brace means, operating mechanism for said implement, a supporting frame for said mechanism comprising a plurality of fore and aft extending members secured to the tractor and a transverse member connecting the rst named members, driving means for said operating mechanism comprising a driving shaft and an associated gear set for controlling the operation of said shaft, means operatively connecting the driving meanswith the power take-off of the tractor, a lifting shaft journaled on said fore and aft extending members, connections between the shaft and said beams whereby rocking of the shaft raises and lowers the beams, operative connections between the lifting shaft and said rock shaft whereby the operation of the power lift raises and lowers said beams, and cam means operated by said lifting shaft in raising said tool beams for throwing said gear set out of operation.

22. In combination, a tractor, power lift means associated with said tractor, a rock shaft journaled intermediate-the ends of the tractor, operating connections between said power lift beams and said rock shaft, tool beams associated with said rock shaft, and means responsive to oscillations of said rock shaft for imparting raising and lowering movements to said beams.

23. In combination, a tractor, power lift means associated with said tractor, a rock shaft journaled intermediate the ends of said tractor, a second shaft carried by said tractor, connections between said shafts, tool beams supported by said rock shaft and connected with said second shaft to be raised and lowered thereby, connections between said shafts, and connections between said power lift means and said rock shaft for actuating said second shaft to raise and lower said beams.

24. In combination, a tractor, power lift means associated with said tractor, a rock shaft journaled intermediate the ends of the tractor, a lifting shaft carried by the tractor adjacent the rear thereof, connections between said shafts, tool beams having their forward ends supported by said rock shaft and their rear ends connected with said lift shaft whereby said means are responsive to raising and lowering movements of said lift shaft, and connections between said power lift means and said rock shaft and effective through said first named connections to raise and lower said beams.

25. In combination, a tractor, power lift means associated with said tractor, a rock shaft journaled on the tractor forward of said power lift means, a lift shaft carried by said tractor adjacent the rear end thereof, operative connections between said shafts, tool beams supported at their forward ends by said rock shaft, connections between the rear ends of said tool beams and said lifting shaft, and connections between said power lift means and said rock shaft for actuating the lifting shaft to raise and lower said beams.

26. In an implement of the class described, in combination, a tractor having a drawbar, a beam connected at its forward end with the tractor, and means carried by the draw bar and connected with the beam to limit the lateral movement of said beam.

27. In an implement of the class described, in combination. a tractor having a drawbar, a beam connected with the tractor forwardly of said drawbar, and bracket means carried by the drawbar for connecting the beam therewith to limit the lateral movement of said beam.

28. In combination, a tractor having a drawbar, a substantially rigid framework including generally longitudinally extending members connected together adjacent their forward ends, means pivotally connecting the forward ends of said members with the tractor whereby free vertical swinging movement of said framework is provided for, and means connected with said drawbar for restraining lateral movement of said framework.

29. In combination, a tractor having a drawbar, a substantially rigid framework including generally longitudinally disposed beam members converging forwardly, means connecting their forward converged ends together, means pivotally connecting the forward ends of said beam members with the tractor at a point between the front and rear wheels thereof, said connecting means providing for relatively free vertical swinging movement of said framework and a limited lateral swinging movement thereof with respect to the tractor, and means having at least a portion connected with the drawbar of the tractor for limiting the lateral movement of said framework.

30. In combination, a tractor having a drawbar, a substantially rigid framework including generally longitudinally extending members having forwardly converging ends connected together. means pivotally connecting the forward ends of said beams with the tractor and providing for relatively free vertical swinging movement and limited lateral movement of said framework, furrow openers carried by said framework and disposed within the tread of the rear traction wheels of the tractor, means connected between the drawbar of the tractor and said framework for restraining the lateral movement of the latter,

crank axles secured to said framework and extending forwardly and outwardly from the furrow openers, and gauge wheels mounted on said crank axles.

31. The combination with a tractor including front and rear wheelsfof an implement attachment comprising a plurality of laterally shiftable beams having forwardly converging ends, means pivotally connecting the forward ends of said beams with said tractor at a hitch point disposed forwardly of the rear tractor wheels, earth working devices on the rear portions of said beams, two crank axles having pivotal connection with the rear portions of said beams at laterally spaced points thereof, gauge wheels mounted on said crank axles, and means for limiting the lateral movement of said beams with respect to the tractor.

32. The combination with a tractor including a drawbar and front and rear wheels, of an implement attachment comprising a plurality of laterally shiftable beams having forwardly converging ends connected together, means pivotally connecting the forwardly converging ends of said beams with said tractor at a hitch point disposed centrally of the tractor, two crank axles having pivotal connection with the rear portions of said beams and forwardly and outwardly extending crank ends disposed adjacent the rear wheels of the tractor, gauge wheels mounted on said crank axle ends, and means connecting said beams with the tractor to limit the lateral movement thereof.

33. In combination, a tractor, a member extending transversely of the tractor adjacent the back thereof and pivotally connected to the tractor for movement on a substantially horizontal axis, an implement comprising a beam structure extending fore and aft of the tractor, means pivotally connecting sai-d beam structure to the tractor forwardly of said member and for swinging movement substantially on a horizontal axis,` the beam structure being capable of lateral movement relative to the tractor. cooperating means carried by the beam structure and the transverse member for limiting the lateral movement of the implement relative to the tractor and lifting means separate from said transverse member for raising and lowering the beam structure from and toward the ground, said lifting means comprising crank axles pivotally connected to the beam lstructure remote from the forward end thereof.

34. In combination, a. tractor, a member extending transversely of the tractor adjacent the back thereof and pivotally connected to the tractor for movement on a substantially horizontal axis, an implement comprising a beam structure extending fore and aft of the tractor, means pivotally connecting said beam structure to the tractor forwardly of said member and for swinging movement substantially on a horizontal axis, the beam structure being capable of lateral movement relative to the tractor, cooperating means including parts carried by the beam structure and by the transverse member, respectively, for limiting the lateral movement of the implement relative to the tractor, one of said parts serving to define an opening slidably receiving the other so as to accommodate lateral tilting of the implement, said opening being formed so asv to permit said parts to be disconnected by a generally longitudinal movement of one relative to the other, and lifting means separate from said transverse member for raising and lowering the beam structure from and toward the ground, said lifting means comprising crank axles pivotally connected to the beam structure remote from the forward end thereof.

35. In combination, a tractor, a member extending transversely of the tractor adjacent the back thereof and pivotally connected to the tractor for movement on a substantially horizontal axis, an implement comprising a. beam structure extending fore and aft of the tractor, means pivotally connecting said beam structure to the tractor forwardly of said member and for swinging movement substantially on a horizontal axis, the beam structure being capable of lateral movement and tilting movement about a generally longitudinal axis relative to the tractor, cooperating means including parts carried by the beam structure and by the transverse member, respectively, for limiting the lateral movement of the implement relative to the tractor, one of said parts serving to denne an opening slidably receiving the other and extending in substantial` ly the longitudinal center line of the implement so as to accommodate lateral tilting of thelatter, said opening being formed so as to permit said parts to be disconnected by a. generally longitudinal movement of one relative to the other. and lifting means separate from said transverse member for raising and lowering the beam structure from and toward the ground. said lifting means comprising crank axles pivotally connected end thereof.

WALTER H. SILVER. 

